GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

Some thoughts on Thankfulness in the "Fog" of War............

Below is a portion of what I shared with our Prayer Partner Team/Inner Circle, in my weekly Prayer email today. May God be close to you and your family and you feel His presence this Thanksgiving Season....

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I know this is almost just a "cliché" in our day. But it really is something that we must stop and really ponder. While it's true, everyday should be a day of thanksgiving, the reality is that many days we are not very thankful. I mean it isn't easy if you've lost your job, had pay cuts, losing a home, car or even a family member who is sick or suffering. Thanksgiving season always tends to make us at least try to take some time and ponder, even in the midst of tough days, to count our blessings. We really are a blessed people. We are a blessed country. The Apostle Paul said it best when he said "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I find myself". Now that is a context of what Thanksgiving is really all about.
 
Please try to take some time this week to count the many things we all can be thankful for. So when someone in the next day says, "Happy Thanksgiving", stop, and think about it!! What is there to be thankful for in your life. I have so much that I tend to overlook in the fog of "War". Meaning in the day to day stress and busyness, I tend to just see the darkness of all the things around me. Last month, I took some time off of watching the constant "dooms day" news  channels, and even my Facebook posting, just because it's easy sometimes to allow the circumstances of life to keep me from really realizing how much God has done for me.
 
When our boys were in kindergarten they all memorized Psalm 100 in their class at the church we attended. They would proudly quote the entire Psalm at the Thanksgiving Table that year. I think maybe all of as adults this Thanksgiving need to go back and read Psalm 100. I know I'm going to do it.
 
You are one of the people I'm thankful this week. Thanks for praying for me. Thanks for praying for our staff, Oasis Church and the many who are on our Prayer Digest each week. I know so many families who count on you to pray for them as they go through some tough storms of life. Thank you. I'm grateful.
 

Deliberate Simplicity

(The Post below is a portion of my weekly Prayer Letter to our Prayer Partners and Inner Circle Prayer Partners at Oasis Church. )

Last week I began reading a book titled, "Deliberate Simplicity".  It had lain around my house for several months, and the title just didn't intrigue me enough for several reasons which aren't really important or germaine. Finally I began to read. As always, it's a journey for me to read a book. Actually I'm reading 5-8 all the time. So I've skipped around, and gone back to the beginning, but honestly, it has caught my attention.

Why do we make life so complicated? Why do we take the "Simple" and complicate it? Why do I know this, yet constantly I move in the more complicated, complex path? I feel like such a failure so often when I know what to do and how to do it, yet at my age, I still take the opposite path!! Does anyone else ever feel like that?

 

Jesus was such a great example to us about living a "Deliberate, yet Simple" life. Listen to how He summed up the whole goal we should have in Matthew 22:37-39 - " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."

 

Two things!! Is that "Simple Enough"? He was speaking to the Spiritual elites, the Arrogant "Religionists" who were empty and void of Spiritual Relationship. They were all about making the simple things complicated, rigid and hard.  How many times does this creep into our lives?

 

Today as I challenge us to Prayer, I guess my only message is, let's not get so complicated that we can't "love the lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. And to love my neighbor as myself". I think Prayer is the one simple, uncomplicated way to begin to develop this type of living out Christ's two simple Commands. How to we learn  to love Him? It's to know Him. How do we know Him? Spend time with Him. How? Prayer!!!  How do I love my neighbor? Well, I don't know about you, but it takes prayer on my part and God's working in me on His part, for me to love lots of people I know. I really don't love, without His love being in me.

 

As we go about very complicated lives today, can we pause to ask God to help us to "Simplify Deliberately", in order to be more obedient to His two Commands?

"The Unseen"/ Heavens Angels Part 1

This past Sunday we began a short 2 week mini Series called the "UnSeen"  This week the theme was Heavenly Angels, next week "Hells Angels".

As I promised in the services I spoke I would share some of the things we could not during our message. I will also share some of the referenced Passages of Scriputres we mentioned but could not read.

"Heaven’s Angels"

Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 13:2

All

angels are ministering spirits, sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.--Hebrews 1:14

Hebrews 13:2--

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing many people have

entertained

angels without knowing it.

Do you think anyone has ever said of you, “I wonder if that was an Angel?" 

sermonnotes

Guy Melton, Pat Roberts, Waymon Byrd

Oct 24-30, 2009

Seraphim:

directed by Gabriel

Cherubim:

directed by Michael

To Serve the _____________________________.

I Corinthians 13:1 (pg 798); Matthew 18:10 (pg 683); Matthew 10:42 (pg 676)

To Protect the ____________________________.

 Fast Facts about Angels:

*They are spiritual creations, but not confined to the supernatural world. (Psalm 148:1-5;

Col. 1:15-17)

*They do not die (Luke 20:36) marry or reproduce (Matthew 22:30)

*They often appear as humans (Hebrews 13:2)

*Their own appearance cause fear (We should respect, but not fear angels)

*They are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22) but there are millions of angels. (Revelations

5:11)

*We do not become angels when we die

*They are highly organized and differ in power (Jesus said he could call ‘legions’ of

angels)

Elisha (

2 Kings.6) Great story of the Guardian Angels

•

We should mimic angels, not worship them (Psalm 103:20)

•

What do they do? SERVE and PROTECT

John 17:15  Jesus Prays for our Protection

Read the entire Chapter of John 17

One Question:  Is there anything in your life your actions that someone would say; "I wonderr if that was an Angel?"

The Intangible "X" Factor.............

This weekend at Oasis , Pines Campus I brought the final Message in our "Reel Life" Series on the  Book of Luke and the Parables of Jesus. Since I had some Church family news to bring and an update on our Budget status I had to shorten the message and mentioned I would put some of the things on Pride and in the Message on my  blog.  So below Im just sharing some random thoughts on the theme of Humility and Pride from Luke 18:9-14, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Once the full message is up on our website, you can access it to watch or listen to it HERE.  Also, make sure you catch the Video that was produced by our Tech Director Joel Collins . It will be on the Website also. There are 3 he has done for the series and you'll want to check them out HERE. 

• In the Bible, the original meaning of Pride has the meaning most often proud or puffed

up, to breathe, to blow up, or puff up, inflate.

It is seen as actually being our normal instinct or our nature as Humans to be full of

Pride.

In our World today, we would say that person is so Arrogant (like Florida Gator Fans) conceited

-- They are delusional/blinded by their own Pride

Ever know someone like this? To be swollen with pride (I Tim. 6:4) - 4he is conceited

and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels

about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

Pride is very deceptive.

Pride is the desire for attention and praise from other living beings.

It means being at the center of the world and having everyone look to us, and

acknowledge us as superior.

It means raising a finger in the air and saying, "I’m number 1", "I’m the greatest."

Beyond a football team doing this. That’s in fun!!  For a pic of Pride and Humility in a Sports analogy, its like Gator Fans are the Pharisees , full of pride and arrogance! Miami Hurricane fans are a picture of the Tax Collector and show humility!!!

  God says repeatedly that He detests this pride.

"I abhor the pride of Jacob" (Amos 6:8).

It is a self-centeredness; I am the center of MY OWN little Universe!! We actually

displace God in favor of MYSELF

We don’t normally say this!!! We just act like it!! When Pride is in our Life it is not

always seen by us. We are blinded!!

God is to be acknowledged, not our own selves.

I Corinthians 8:1 states, "knowledge puffs up (makes us proud), but love builds up."

Pride goes before a fall, Proverbs tells us. 16:19-19

Pride brought down the most powerful Angel in Heaven!!

WE KNOW WHAT PRIDE DOES. IT KILLS RELATIONSHIPS,

IT ALIENATES, AND GOD HATES IT.

Ill share some thoughts on the Theme of the Message, Humility, in a day or two.

Do you have the "X" Factor?????????? Oasis Weekly Update for October18, 2009

For those who are not on our Local Oasis Email I am sharing this weeks update I sent to our local Oasis Family. I know we have hundreds of folks who we call our extended family who are friends of Oasis, members who have moved away or just friends of mine or family. This way I can keep you up on whats happening here in South Florida and hopefully as you think about us you will be praying for the ministries and peoples of Oasis here in South Florida and around the world. Sometimes you wont be able to open the links below or there is a word or two cut off a line because the format of my blog is different than our email update. Sorry if its an inconvenience. Guy

Dear Extended Oasis Family: So many times we talk about the "X" Factor in sports, business and even in human relationships!! It’s always that special something that person has. Well, this week as we conclude the "REEL Life"series in the book of Luke, we will find out the "X" factor that few people have but every one of us should! I bet you’ve never heard this before. If you want to try now and figure out the "X" factor before this weekend and next week’s 7NOW services (nightly @ 7 p.m.), you can read the passage in Luke 18:9-14.  Once again this week I have been amazed at all God is doing in and among Oasis Church. But especially I love what so many of our folks are doing outside the walls of Oasis Church. That is what Mission is all about. We Worship, we connect through Community, but the third value at Oasis is Mission, and normally that means you take the Gospel out of the building and into the world. Just a few things lately I noted by some of our ministries and individuals who have taken the Value of Mission very seriously.  I won’t mention some of the ones we’ve noted before but want to mention some I’ve just recently noticed. Surge/Youth Ministries is teaming up with His House Ministries of Opa Locka in ministering to orphaned and displaced children in South Florida. For more information on this great Christian ministry to the least of these, and updates on what our Youth are doing you will want to go to our Students Page on visitoasis.org. Women’s Ministry is sponsoring a Food Drive for Single Women in South Florida, along with Sheridan House Family Ministries.  KidsWorld is gearing up beginning in November to partner again with Samaritan’s Purse through "Operation Christmas Child". I hope all our families who have children will get involved. What a great way to teach our children how to give and minister to "the least of these". Marla Tallant of our Hollywood Campus, serves at the Daily Bread Food Bank,which has been in the news lately about their building burning down. This is a huge feeding group that churches and families get so much blessing from all year round. I heard that Ben Windle, our Hollywood Campus Pastor, and John Adams, the Worship leader at Hollywood both went over on Monday and helped Marla clean up the incredible mess after the big fire that destroyed not only the building but the 92,000 lbs of food that was in the building. You might want to learn more about the Food Bank and how to get involved by contacting Marla or Ben at the Hollywood Campus.  One of our Community Groups helped a grieving family recently with a very unselfish act. Check it out --  now that’s community at its best! Our North Miami Campus is doing a food drive also in order to stock their shelves with much needed items for those from the community coming in for help.   One of our long-time members, Angel Betancourt is also involved in a feeding ministry to the homeless that will be hosting a special Thanksgiving meal and service at our Hollywood Campus next month. Some of our people might want to get involved in this.    These are just a few of the exciting things happening among our folks who are "going" on Mission. It’s not all about coming to Oasis, but going to the World!! There are hundreds of exciting stories about what God has done in the lives and families here at Oasis Church. I never get tired of hearing of them and celebrating them. If you want to hear about two incredible stories, of two very special people - a single dad, and a miracle mom, then you can go here, and here at visitoasis.org now and see pics and stories of these incredible people. Over 80 adults attended our first Tuesday night 7NOW study on the Purpose Driven Life. You don’t want to miss this! It is a 7-week study and you can come this Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Hope to have you there.  Childcare is also available for those who are attending the service.   Don’t forget, Monday night we are still studying the Book of Acts. It’s not too late to attend this night of worship or any of the others --  7 Nights a week.  Now I can’t touch on everything, but this is just a little bit of what God is doing this week at Oasis.  If you have not worshiped in giving God His tithes and offerings this week, you can give online here right nowin a secure and very quick way.  Try it out and let me know how you liked going online to give. Have you ever done it before? Do you use envelopes regularly? I would like to have some feedback on how you prefer to give.  This weekend at our Pines Campus, I’ll be sharing live in all the services not only the teaching message, but a very important message and announcement to our Oasis Family.  You do not want to miss it. It might be one of the most important announcements I’ve made in a long time. The campus pastors at Hollywood and NoMi will also be sharing a little along the line of my announcement.  Guy Melton/January 10, 2010 Pastor Oasis Church http://www.guymelton.com http://www.visitoasis.org

50% Off Sale - Oasis Church Membership this Sunday

For our Extended Oasis Family, once again I'm sharing the weekly email that was sent out to our local Oasis Family. The links might not work, but most are found on our visitoasis.org website. If a couple words are cut off at the end of a line, it is because the Email was not formatted for my blog. I'm sorry about that, but felt it more important to keep you up to date on what's happening around Oasis Church. Not only would I ask you to rejoice with us in all that God is doing but also to pray for the many ministries that God is using to touch so many lives. God bless you and have a wonderful weekend.

Dear Oasis Extended family;

Yes, you read it right!!! I did say that our Membership Fees to join Oasis Church are 50% off regular cost this Sunday only!!! As you know we are having our Discover Oasis Class this Sunday at 1:30 p.m. following our noon service on the Pines Campus. This class is one where we give the history of Oasis Church, our vision and a picture of who we are. I present this time with other pastors from our team. It’s a fast-paced ONE HOUR and we even give you a FREE Lunch with it. You are given the opportunity to join our church or just to find out about our church. We do not strong arm or push. We believe the Holy Spirit is the one Who should lead a person to join the church where He wants them. We only want you to know who we are. 

 Now as to the Cost to Join!! You might ask, I didn't know membership cost at Oasis Church?  Actually, I saw a sign last week while driving by a synagogue in our area that said "50% off Membership Dues".  I had to laugh and at that moment, I said, “Hmmmmmm”!!!!! No, you don't pay to join Oasis Church! Never have, and never will. Now to be a disciple of Christ there is a cost…make no mistake about that. Jesus said be willing to give up all to follow ME, meaning Jesus. But NO you don't have to pay to join. You do have to attend Discover Oasis. So, if you’re not signed up yet, do so online by the deadline at 4 p.m. this Friday. I hope to see you there if you have not yet joined.

BTW, if you’re a parent who plans on dedicating your baby in October, one of the child’s parents must be an active member of Oasis Church, so if you have not yet joined you need to come to this class on Sunday at 1:30 at our Pines Campus. Our other campuses have periodic Discover Oasis classes and those will be announced at the campus you attend.

I guess you could say the 50% off Membership this week is in honor of our 18th Anniversay as a Church.  September 15, 1991 we had our very first service as a church.  I blogged about why I love Oasis Church on our 18th Anniversary this week, and put the 18 Reasons I love Oasis for you to read. So check it out at guymelton.com.

Reel Life continues this Weekend, and all next week at 7NOW, our evening worship service each night of the week…This week we will be looking at the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, but looking at it in an entirely different way than you might have ever heard it. It fits so much with what Rick Caldwell talked about in his message on Mission and diversity last month, during our Values Series. BTW, Rick’s message is up on our Podcast at visitoasis.org if you missed it or want to send a friend there. It’s awesome.  In the day we live, Jesus has some very important things to say to us as a country and culture. We better listen or else it will be at our own peril. Make sure you don't miss this week’s message. Just in case you are not aware, ALL our messages are up on either video or audioor both on our website each week. Interesting enough, this week on our visitoasis.org Youth page/Surge, Rick Caldwell's daughter, Celeste was highlighted because of an unusual mission she is on.  Check it out.   

 

7 Nights of worship Gets Refreshed!!!! You don't want to miss…this begins Monday and Tuesday night

This is the week we as a staff have been planning for many months. Two very special emphases will be added to our 7 Nights of Worship (7NOW).  Monday and Tuesday night will begin 2 very distinct themes:

• Monday nightwill have live teaching with Pastor Jack Hakimian of our NoMi Campus. His first study will be in the Book of Acts. This is one of my fav books. For more info on Going Deeper, check out the 7NOW webpage with more explanation of Monday night.
  
  
• Tuesday night were are calling "Come Thirsty". Those who are thirsty to grow in their spiritual walk need to come “Thirsty” this Tuesday night as Pastor Pat Roberts kicks off the first study in the foundational growth Night, with a short study called the "Starting Point". For more info, go to our 7NOW webpage and check it out.  

 Why are we making these seemingly big changes in two of our nights?  Simply because in order to fulfill our mission and values of Oasis Church  --  Worship / Community / Mission, we need to be taking our faith deeper.  We can’t do all that is needed in one hour on Sunday morning.  This is your chance. You may attend Sunday and one of these nights, or just attend one of the nights as your weekly time to Worship. We will still have LIVE WORSHIP at all our nights.  The other 5 nights will continue to have the same Sermon Series as the weekend. Folks from all 3 campuses may attend. NoMiwill have the same study as our 7NOW Monday night study with Pastor Jack on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the NoMi Campus.

 7 Nights of Worship is also expanding with our KidsWorld -- Lest our kids are left out on going deeper and being refreshed in their young and budding faith, KidsWorld is also offering special classes both nights on the subject of being "Rooted".These are discipleship classes for kids. How cool is that? Suzie McCord and her staff are to be applauded for the great job they’re doing in grounding our kids early in their faith. Check out the KidsWorld page for info on what classes are offered at what service. We will have Nursery-Elementary classes offered at both our new Refreshed nights -- Monday and Tuesday.  

 New Starter Community Groupsare also forming at our Pines Campus during our 7NOW Monday and Tuesday nights, as listed in the bulletin the past 2 weeks – a Men’s Group on Monday nights at 7 p.m., and a Women’s Group on Tuesday nights.

As you might note, we are serous this fall about taking our faith at Oasis Church to another level. If you’re ready to go deeper, and thirsty to grow in your faith in a way that is measurable and can be tracked, then you will want to try out one of the new nights or one of the new Community Groups. Don't intend to do it. JUST DO IT!!!!!

 

Women’s Ministry kicks off for the Fall Saturday, Sep 26th. Ladies…don't miss this !! Welcome our new Women's Director, Debby Brown by attending this great breakfast for women next Saturday. Check out all the info and how to register on our Adult's Pageat visitoasis.org.

 See you Sunday as we continue our "REEL LIFE" Series, or at 7 NOW this week. BTW Joel, our Tech Director, will have another Original Oasis Production in our Short film series this weekend and all next week at our 7 Nights of Worship. (except Monday and Tuesday nights)

 God bless you, and have a great weekend.

 

Guy Melton
Pastor
Oasis Church

18 Reasons I love Oasis Church on its 18th Anniversary - Sep 15!!

On this 18th Anniversary of Oasis Church so many memories and thoughts flood my mind and heart. I can't even hardly breathe as I type and think of all the incredible things God has done these past 18 years since a small group of 4 couples and one single joined Tonia and me to start this adventure in Western Pembroke Pines and which is now also in Hollywood and North Miami...and even Jacksonville, Florida with the launch of Oasis No Fla. I will just try to narrow it to 18. I'm working on a series of blog posts, that follow the first I made last week of the Top 10 in 2 words or less. 

There are too many to do only 10 of this one, and too much in my heart as I type this to only say two words. So here goes!!!! I love you Oasis Church!!!!

18. The willingness to always change and even embrace change when it makes you feel uncomfortable.

17.  84 Countries who meet together each week to Worship a mighty God without culture, race, or background getting in the way. How many churches in the World can say that? Probably not more than a couple.

16. The incredible lay leaders who are the ones who do the Ministry. KidsWorld, Parking, Hospitality, Community Group Leaders, First Impressions, Surge/youth, Worship teams (this encompasses loads of folks), Lay Pastors, Church Council, Tech, Women's Team, Host Pastors and leaders of 7 Nights of Worship and I know I'm leaving some Leadership teams out. Forgive me. Honestly we have such a lean staff if it were not for an army of servant leaders I have no idea what we would be. I love you guys.

15. The over 1,400 new believers who have followed the Lord in Baptism these 18 years, almost two hundred this year already.

14.  A staff that works hard, long and passionately to not only minister but to deliver the Love of God in message 13 times each and every week and 365 nights a year. They demonstrate incredible ability along with a Love for the Lord and Oasis week in and week out, that just keeps me fired up. (and might I say with so many 20-30 somethings, very tired!)

13.  A church that is willing to do whatever it takes on just 6 acres in Pembroke Pines to continue to reach those who don't know Jesus. The only church doing Church 7 Nights a week that I know of - 365 days a year...and never do I hear a complaint!!! It's incredible.

12. A youth group -- Surge we call them, that has a depth like none I've ever seen. I was a Youth Pastor for 10 years and served several thousand teenagers during that time. It was a great group. But I have never seen such a committed, passionate group of young teens for God in my life. They thrill me just hanging out around them and watching them.   Many are in our adult worship teams and some lead there. They are amazing. Our adults could learn from them just by observing. I love you guys. (I love Katia and her group of leaders also. You guys are second to none. I could just give you a big group hug)

11. I love Oasis Church for the hundreds who sacrificed to make our buildings possible not only in Pembroke Pines but in Hollywood and now North Miami!! Many have moved away or gone to be with the Lord but their/your investment will go on for decades if the Lord tarries His coming.

10. Love that God has given us efficient, and practical facilities. Not too much, not enough sometimes, not extravagant, but just what we needed.

9. I love the four families who gave up very secure, long tenured churches to come out with Tonia and me to follow he Vision God had given us. The Goodwins, Carrs, Padowitz, Oyers, and my Mom. I will be eternally grateful for your love, support and blood, sweat and tears you gave in the early years.  For your kids who gave a lot to attend this new baby church.

8. I love the first Oasis attenders who came that first Sunday, brought desserts when they never had even met each other. Just came from a phone invite. You had no electric, no parking lot, and no a/c in a little building and listened to a Guy who you had never met. I wondered if you would ever come back. Every week I would hold my breath. You did and you still do.

7. I love Oasis Church because you have loved my family, supported it, let my boys be normal boys, and loved them and supported them through their teen years. Nothing is more important than a church loving their Pastor's family, and especially their children.

6. I love you Oasis for what you do for our Community at Christmas year in and year out, through Christmas at the Oasis Light and Christmas display. The hundreds of you who give many hours, some hundreds of hours, and lots of money, to welcome the 40-50,000+ people to our Pines Campus each year. (we are giving our volunteers a much-deserved year off this year and not doing Christmas, but I assure you next year we will come back with more passion and excitement than ever before!)

5. I love you Oasis because you were willing to do what only a few churches in our country have done. You've gone to the urban areas of Hollywood and North Miami and started new Campuses. The hardest place to do ministry in America is the urban and inner cities. Most churches go to the suburbs. Our cities are tough, but you gave and went. I love you for that.

4. I love Oasis Church because we have so many wonderful people on our NoMI and HWD campus who love God and give beyond what they have to minister in these locations, and then even come back to Pines and serve with our Pines people. It's a beautiful sight to observe. I love you guys in the city campuses.

3. I love Oasis for a very personal reason that is more about me, and not you, but If I didn't say this I should be horse whipped. You have the most wonderful Pastor's Wife ever born of man. Tonia is behind the scenes. But let me tell you, I would not still be in ministry, and at Oasis if it were not for a wife who has stood with me through thick and thin. She is spiritual, she is strong, and she models what is preached and she is a big reason God has blessed this church the way He has. I love you Babe, and thanks for putting up with all you've had to put up with these past 18 years in order to fulfill our calling. Words can't express my love and gratitude for you. 

2. I love the Oasis Family because you love me and put up with all my frailties, weaknesses and mistakes. My stupid blog post, and FB comments. My corny jokes, and my ADHD ways. You still love me for who I am and you don't try to make me someone else. You accept me as I am. I love you!!

1. I love Oasis Church more than anything, because God is here and doing a mighty work. Many have invested, worked, sacrificed, prayed and I have thanked you. But honestly, this would not have been worth it 18 years ago, and would not be worth it today, if God was not doing things beyond anything we could explain or take credit for. I'm so grateful He is using me and you even with all our faults and warts. Thank you, God for 18 incredible years. Thank you, Jesus for loving us so much You died for Oasis Church even before we existed!!!!!

So much more could be said, but I'll leave it at that!!

Happy Anniversary Oasis Church

AMEN!!

The Little widow who saved Oasis Church..................

Friday, August 28, I officiated the Funeral Service of my 3rd Grade Sunday School Teacher and the little widow who saved Oasis Church (I'll share that story below), Edith Fine. We had maintained a friendship for almost all of my 5 decades of life. Edith was one of the most humble, simple people I've ever known, yet she left a living legacy in thousands of children's lives who are now parents and grandparents.  She is buried in the Cemetery across from her beloved Church. Below I share some bullet points from the message. There is no way I can really put into written words here without writing a small book, so I'll just bullet point it. 

 Legacy spanned 5 decades. Passed away at 84 years. August 24, 2009

·     Death of Sen Kennedy, could not have been totally opposites, jet setter, rich, famous, luxury

·    Little house on Columbus parkway. 600 sq. feet

·    Everyone in this room has multiple stories of this little un-assuming woman. She served and was a member of the First Baptist Church of West Hollywood for more than 50 years.   

·    Facebook full of stories, mine and others scattered, more than 30 comments have been made on my FB about her.

·     45 years ago as a 3^rd grader,  I sat on bench with 4-5 boys and listened to this lady each Sunday. Little portable walls surrounding us each Sunday. But stories and lessons that have never been forgotten.

·    Verses, I still quote today. Stories she told, never forgotten.

·    Literally thousands have been touched. Parents who all their children went thru her Kindergarten class.

1. John 14:1-6   Prepared a mansion while she lived in a 600 sq. foot home.

2. Never seen a better example of laying up your treasures in heaven.

3. Story of  Oasis Church being built, owed contractors, 200k, to move in. Needed 50k immediately. My business consultant offered to bring someone to me that would loan us the money in order to pay our immediate bills of 50k.  Mrs. Fine showed up in our office. (She looked at me with this little devilish smile and said, "You never thought a little old lady like me could sock away this kind of money!"...big grin on her face. Did ironing, cleaning houses, taught kindergarten probably wasn’t min. wage hardly.  We paid her back in a year as we promised and this little lady who taught  me in 3rd grade allowed Oasis Church to move into our new building. This story has never been told before publicly. Only a few leaders ever knew who the person was that loaned us the life-saving money.

4. This story of helping me 35 years later from the little bench in a cubicle with dividers, to build and finish the present facilities that several thousand worship at each Week/Sunday is the perfect story to a life well lived.

 

Another story I did not know for years was that when she heard of us raising funds to build our present Auditorium at Oasis Church, she gave $10,000 towards our building campaign. A church she never attended. She had her own church which was my home church and the church that started Oasis in the Fall of 1991, First Baptist Church of West Hollywood.

5. THANK YOU / The Song by Ray Boltz, was requested by her family and Tonia will sing it.

TO MRS. FINE...WHAT ELSE CAN BE SAID????? THE PERFECT SONG !!!!!

6. 2 Corinthians 5: 1-2, 5-10,

7. This is what Mrs. Fine was holding on to. Not the pain, not the lack of wealth, fame, but what she couldn’t see, the Hope of Eternity

Read II Corinthians 5: 14-15 

8. I teach,  and hammer  into our staff and young pastors, it’s a journey. It’s the whole sum of a life, not a few victories or bragging rights about things.

9. Life is a journey, not a sprint. Sprint, you fall and win or loose. Journeys, have winding roads

·    Bumps

·    Obstacles

·    Road washouts,

·    Mtns

·    Deserts

·    Get lost sometimes

·    If you stay at it and pick yourself up you can still finish.

10. Mrs. Fine, finished her RACE, completed her Course, and now is with her Lord the One she taught so many of us about.

11. DAVID  LIVED a life, full of bumps, failures and triumphs, I love what was said at the end of his life:

Acts 13:36  "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers ............

12. While little of Mrs. Fine's life resembled David's, different paths...the ending is the SAME

Conclusion:  She finished the race, she won her crown, and is receiving her rewards, far above what she ever could have achieved here.

1.   Are you prepared?

2.   Are you running the good race, is it to achieve an earthly reward, man's acclaim, a bigger better, car? Money in the bank. We’ve all seen where that gets you, it literally has flown away, in two years.

3.   What really counts is eternity. The home, is it being prepared? Do you know the Savior, the One who died for you.

4.   Our sin separates, God’s love forgives and gives hope for eternity.

5.   Romans 10. With our heart we believe, with our mouth we confess.

6.   Whoever calls, confesses will be saved!!!

7.   Edith Fine's last message on earth might be today, but it can be one of salvation to someone in this room.

Beach Baptism Sunday, 6pm, Hollywood Beach and Broadwalk

This is going to be one of the BIG Highlights of my year!! We are planning on another Beach Baptism this weekend. Check out the details below in my weekly Oasis Email to the Oasis Family.

We are ending the summer. We have had camps, KidsWorld events, missions trips, Community Group Kick-off, and a great summer here at Oasis. As we close the summer, I believe this weekend is the perfect way to do it. It’s not only going to be exciting, but life changing. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS WEEKEND, AND ESPECIALLY SUNDAY AT THE BEACH! 

This Sunday is what I think will be one of the highlights of 2009 for Oasis Church. Across all 3 campuses and all the 7 Nights of Worship, we will gather in one location and see many of our Church family baptized. At 6 p.m. this Sunday Evening, Aug 30^th we will having our Beach Baptism. This is only the second time our church has ever done a church-wide Beach Baptism. The first one two years ago was something I’ll never forget.

I hope you will join us on Hollywood Beach at 6 p.m. The map is in the bulletin or on our website. Following the baptism some of our Worship Teams will be bringing a concert at the Band Shell on Johnson Street Broadwalk. This is where we will baptize…directly behind the Band Shell. This will be a special time of celebration and fellowship. Please come!!! You will have a great time. Not only do I want to support the new believers who have made a BIG decision to follow Christ with this public act of obedience, but I also love when our church gets together from 3 campuses, 13 services and worship times. The cost is free. The parking in the garage on Johnson Street is a flat $5 fee and the meters around the beach area are 1.00 per hour. 

If you have accepted Christ as Savior and call Him your Lord, but have never been baptized, then Sunday is the day! Do not put it off. Jesus did it in the muddy Jordan River, the Ethiopian leader asked the deacon Phillip, “Why can’t I get baptized right now?” And he did!! In the book of Acts the true mark of a new disciple was they were baptized immediately after they accepted Christ as Savior and believed. There is absolutely NO REASON for a follower of Christ not to be Baptized. Sunday is the day.

WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON BAPTISM IN OUR SERVICES THIS WEEKEND. We have 100 free commemorative Beach Towels for those being baptized. Since we might have more than 100 baptized today, I must say, it’s first come, first served. Come to the Infomation Center following your service to register Saturday night & all Sunday morning services. One important note:  Our regular Sunday night service will not meet on our Pines Campus at 7 p.m.for this Sunday only so that we can all worship together at the Beach.

God bless you, and I can’t wait to see you at the BEACH -- 6 p.m.!!!  For those being baptized, be there at 5:45 p.m. Look for the canopy tent.   

"Sexting"

With your kids going back to school this week I thought I would share this article on "Sexting". I had not heard of it until recently. But you can be sure its happening, and is probably in my opinion worse than even this article below says. Recently, our local paper also had a story on it.

Every parent should read this, and you should talk with your child. We have wonderful technology today, but there are some huge dangers, that many of us never had to deal with. We best not assume our Kids wont see or do this.  The article below was in the Sheridan House monthly newsletter and is found on their website.

Sexting: What Parents Should Know

"Sexting?  What is that?"  That was one mother's first reaction when she heard a recent news story about some middle school kids charged with the "crime."  Sadly it was her 12-year-old daughter who said, "Mom, a girl in my school was caught doing that.  Half the kids in the school have the picture on their phone or have seen it."

Much like a cell phone text, "Sexting" is the act of sending nude or partially nude photos via a cell phone.  Once a photo text is sent, the recipient can share it with others or post it on the internet for the world to see.  With cell phones containing built in cameras, there's been a significant increase in this activity among teens.  A recent survey conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that 20% of teens admit they've sent or posted naked or semi-naked photos or videos of themselves just for fun. For the full article go to Sheridan House Website

With your kids going back to school this week I thought I would share this article on "Sexting". I had not heard of it until recently. But you can be sure its happening, and is probably in my opinion worse than even this article below says. Recently, our local paper also had a story on it.

Every parent should read this, and you should talk with your child. We have wonderful technology today, but there are some huge dangers, that many of us never had to deal with. We best not assume our Kids wont see or do this.  The article below was in the Sheridan House monthly newsletter and is found on their website.

Sexting: What Parents Should Know

"Sexting?  What is that?"  That was one mother's first reaction when she heard a recent news story about some middle school kids charged with the "crime."  Sadly it was her 12-year-old daughter who said, "Mom, a girl in my school was caught doing that.  Half the kids in the school have the picture on their phone or have seen it."

Much like a cell phone text, "Sexting" is the act of sending nude or partially nude photos via a cell phone.  Once a photo text is sent, the recipient can share it with others or post it on the internet for the world to see.  With cell phones containing built in cameras, there's been a significant increase in this activity among teens.  A recent survey conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that 20% of teens admit they've sent or posted naked or semi-naked photos or videos of themselves just for fun. For the full article go to Sheridan House Website